Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has sworn in the newly elected local government chairmen and councillors across the state, urging them to prioritize good governance. The swearing-in ceremony, held on Sunday in Oshogbo, marks a significant step in the state’s democratic process following the controversial local government election.
Governor Adeleke, in his address to the newly sworn-in officials, emphasized the importance of good governance and warned against any attempts to forcibly occupy council secretariats. “You have a duty to serve the people, and the focus must be on improving the welfare of the citizens in your local governments,” he stated firmly. He also expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his efforts in resisting attempts to destabilize the state, recognizing the federal support for maintaining peace in Osun.
The local government elections, which were held on February 22, 2025, sparked widespread controversy across the country. The election led to a number of casualties in the state, and it had been a topic of intense political debate. The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, even appealed to Governor Adeleke over an ongoing court’s judgment related to the election, further complicating the political landscape.
Despite the controversies, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged victorious in all 30 local government areas (LGAs) in the state. This overwhelming victory for the PDP was a clear reflection of the party’s strong influence in the state, but it also raised questions about the electoral process, given the violence and unrest that marred the election.
In his speech at the swearing-in ceremony, Adeleke highlighted the significance of the event as a major milestone in Osun State’s democratic journey. He assured the officials that the election was conducted in full compliance with due process. “We are here to conclude a democratic process for which we all laboured so hard to achieve,” the governor said.
Governor Adeleke further elaborated on the integrity of the electoral process, stating, “The state electoral body had issued due notice of election a year ago. I know the commission had complied with all extant rules and procedures which led to the emergence of new local government chairmen and councillors.” He reiterated that the facts surrounding the election were now publicly available, underscoring that the state government was operating within the bounds of the law and the Constitution.
As part of his remarks, the governor also expressed his satisfaction with the transparency of the electoral process. “It is, however, a thing of joy that the facts are out in the public domain, and we are satisfied that we are on the side of the law within the context of the rule of law and the constitution,” Adeleke noted, emphasizing the government’s commitment to the rule of law.
The governor then addressed the newly elected officials directly, urging them to take action in their local governments to improve the lives of their constituents. “You have the mandate to deliver on good governance in your respective local governments,” Adeleke stated. “I charge you to develop plans of action within the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” he added, emphasizing that the new leaders should align their actions with the goals of the ruling party.
He continued by calling on the local government officials to be proactive agents of change as the state embarks on its transformation. “As our government is transforming the state for the better, I call on you to be agents of change,” the governor declared. He encouraged the officials to focus on sustainable development and ensure that their leadership benefited the people of Osun.
